CHARACTER REVEALED BY THE FEET.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 65, 18 March 1908, Page 2

CHARACTER REVEALED BY THE FEET.

It may seem strange, but it is nevertheless a fact, that just as the face reveals the character of the individual to those who are able to'j read and Understand it, so the position of the feet is no less eloquent of their owner's mood. \ I Tb.o man who is at perfect peace with the world, content with himself and xjvoryone- else, especially after a good dinner at which "he has done himself well," invariably stretches his feet out in.front of him with his toes turned up. When Mr Beerbohm Tree plays " Falstaff" and sits drinking -at a table, it is the attitude he always adopts. Mental contentment a3 opposed to that which is purely physical is shown by the crossing of one foot.over the other. If the condition becomes more marked one knee is crossed over the i othftr, \and the free, foot is often ; swung, ;to and fro. The moment, ; how.ev.er, the; individ Hal becomes i v - teresLod in anything the ' swingia;* | ceases and the free foot curls round the other .ankle. Bashful peopb 'invariably sit with I their toes turned in. Why this [-should be it is undoubtedly difficult to explain, but there is no doubt about the fact. .I? the bashfulness runs to great embarrassment one foot, with the. toes still turned in, seeks the consoling influence of the other and poises jtself on the ankle of the other, foot. If the bashfulness and embarrassment are noticed when the individual is standing, one foot is sure to be placed Lehind the other arid be lifted up at frequent intervals, while :is the embarrassment ip.eceases the raised foot rubs up and down the calf of the leg which sur»ports the body. The feeling of contentment is so

likely to develop, in many people, j into a' mood of lasiness that it is not I surprising to find there is a certain resemblance between the position of the feet in both conditions. In laziness, however, the knees turn outward, and instead of the feet being closely placed together at the toes, the too of, one foot is placed against' the lower part of the shin of the other. . - : - •'. The pose_ of vhe self-conudent man or woman is no less equally marked. The feet are placed firmly on the ground, the toes' pointed slightly outward, and the heel of the right foot directed to the ball of the left. It is the'position which is naturally takan by soldiers and others who ljave been trained to take care q"f themselves, and, naturally, the Jiabit has become second nature. In opposition to this position is that of the man who walks with a shambling gait, the toes turned rather inwards and with a distinct weakness of the ankle. It is per-! fectly safe to assume that such a.man] has a iveak, shambling character and j that he lacks directness of purpose, i force of will, and the energy, which arc all essential to making a success in life. ( Look at anyone sitting down who has his or her feet firmly on the ground two or three feet apart. The chances are ninety-nine in a hundred that if you turn your galze to the face you wiV. see \n expression which clearly indicates that the individual is thinking seriously of some problem, and you may hazard a.good deal that, all things being equal, he or she will carry through the project in mind to a successful issue. !" v On the other hand, the individual who is by no means sure of his own posir-ion ip certain to proclaim that sens© in insecurity by having one loot brought closely up to the other at the back and the knees of both legs bent. It has invariably been the cu&tqm to poirt' out to people that they should always watch the faces -of those to wimin they are talking. It is apparent, however,. that that rule .nopcs extending, for, as has been demonstrated in thiss article, a good deaV can be learned from the way in ■which-,the feet are placed.